Marvel Comics: 50 best Marvel comic books of the 2000s
By Mark Lynch
40. Planet Hulk/World War Hulk
Writer: Greg Pak
Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Tony Stark, and Doctor Strange deemed that the Hulk too dangerous to stay on Earth so they tricked the Hulk and shot him into space. Instead of a peaceful planet, he lands on a hostile one. While there (Planet Hulk), Hulk fell in love and helped save the world. Before he could enjoy his new life, an explosion killed his wife and unborn son (so he thought). Hulk went back to Earth looking for revenge. He got exactly what he wanted. With his Warbound, Hulk defeated every hero they came up against.
You have to read both Planet Hulk and World War Hulk to get the full story. They connect to a larger tale. This isn’t just Hulk on a rampage. This is him being a leader and a lover. Of course, there’s a lot of smashing, but it’s the smaller part of what’s going on.
39. Exiles (issues 1-65)
Writer: Judd Winick, Chuck Austen, Tony Bedard
The Exiles went through more horrible things than any other team. First, they were snatched from their homes and thrown on a team with people they didn’t know. Then, one of their teammates is killed and immediately replaced, they have to kill someone who resembles someone they love, and move on like nothing happened. That happens in the first four issues. Things continue to get worse as the series progresses.
Exiles is essentially a book of What if…? However, the team fixes the problems. Unfortunately, sometimes that means letting bad things happen. Like issue No. 32 when Mimic had to cut Captain America’s head off. Or 14 and 15 when they had to help Doctor Doom stay in charge.